Improving access to STI screening in a college-based health center by implementing a low-cost, self-pay testing program

Background: Despite increasing Chlamydia rates among young adults in Massachusetts and the recommendation that all young women receive annual Chlamydia screening, barriers to regular testing exist for college students. Students may have limited access to their primary care provider while away at school and rely on their college-based health center for care. Concerns regarding STI testing cost and confidentiality often prevent students from accessing STI testing services at their college health center. Purpose: Providing an affordable self-pay STI testing option as an alternative to the use of students' health insurance may be an effective means of increasing access to STI testing services in a college health center. We seek to answer the following question: Do rates of STI testing increase in a college health setting after implementation of a low-cost, self-pay testing program? Significance: An increase in the rates of STI testing consequent to establishing a low-cost, self-pay testing program should act as a catalyst for more college-based health centers to consider offering alternative payment methods for STI testing services. An increase in testing, diagnosis and treatment should result in a decrease in the rates and spread of STIs. Methodology: A quantitative, retrospective chart analysis will be performed. The rate of Chlamydia testing at a college health center will be calculated over two months prior to implementation of a low-cost, self-pay STI testing program, and then repeated over the two months following implementation. The results of this study, with associated recommendations, will be presented.